Picture from http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51-UqQgHhAL._SX450_.jpg

The Severin is going for $199, but it is a very basic 5-tray dehydrator that does not have a timer. Neither can its temperature be adjusted; it just runs at 250W, and from its French instruction manual I think that means 70 degrees celcius. You can find its picture and dimensions on Amazon.com. When Tangs has its 10% sale on electrical items, its price should drop to $179.

Picture from http://kucheroboter.com/wp-content/uploads/image1/RommelsbacherDA750Drrautomatmit4DrretagenundZeitschaltuhrrkL.jpg

The Rommelsbacher DA750 Dörrautomat is priced at $319. It has only four shelves, but comes with a 12-hour timer. It can run at three temperatures: 20, 40 and 60 degrees celcius. Its instruction manual suggests setting the dehydrator at 20 degrees celcius for herbs and mushrooms, 40 degrees celcius for vegetables and delicate fruit, and 60 degrees celcius for other fruit. You can find its picture and dimensions here. There are two comprehensive reviews of the DA750 here that you should read; they are in German so you will have to copy and paste them into Google Translate. With Tangs' 10% sale on electrical items, its price should drop to $287.

As Tangs still does not carry the Ezi Dry, I contacted its Singapore distributor, K-Industrial Services Pte Ltd, and they told me that the Ezi Dry dehydrators can only be bought from at their office at Blk 2021 Bukit Batok, Street 23 #01-204, Singapore 659256. K-Industrial Services said that they are open only during office hours from 9am-12noon and 1pm-5pm, and that you should call them at 6563 1101 before going down. Cash and carry only.

Picture from http://www.ozfarmer.com/image/cache/data/ezivac/Ultra-dehydrator-720x720.jpg

The Ezi Dry / Ezidri Ultra FD1000 is being sold at S$388, and comes with 5 trays, 1 mesh sheet, and 1 solid sheet. Each additional tray costs S$18, and each additional mesh sheet and solid sheet cost S$7. It does not have a timer, but you can manually set its temperature from between 30 degrees celcius to 65 degrees celcius. Picture and dimensions can be found here.

Picture from http://shop.davidjones.com.au/djimages/7426-76803_NoColour_01_330x430.jpg

The Ezi Dry / EzidriSnackmaker FD500 is being sold at S$258. It comes with 5 trays, 1 mesh sheet and 1 solid sheet. Each additional tray costs S$13, and each additional mesh sheet and solid sheet costs S$7. It does not have a timer, and has three temperature settings: 35 degrees celcius, 50-55 degrees celcius, and 60 degrees celcius. Its picture and dimensions can be found here. Some reviews can be found here.

Edit (16 June 2013): The final dehydrator that I know of being sold in Singapore is the Excalibur, at ToTT.

The model number is not indicated on ToTT's accompanying brochure, but I think it should be this model, which Excalibur sells direct for US$299.95. ToTT is selling it for S$655.40, which is more than double the price.

Which dehydrator to choose?

Whilst the Severin is obviously the cheapest dehydrator, it has some negative reviews on Amazon.com, and I am not sure how much of a disadvantage it is to not be able to control the temperature of the dehydrator. I would probably fork out the extra money for such an option.

As between the Ezi Dry models, I would not be willing to pay $100+ to be able to minutely control the dehydrator's temperature. So I would go with the Snackmaker FD500 over the Ultra FD1000.

The Excalibur is definitely out of the question due to its price. If you really want an Excalibur, you may want to search for a supplier that can provide a unit (that has a Singapore power / voltage plug) at a much more affordable price.

For about $30 more (than the Snackmaker FD500), you get the Rommelsbacher with a timer. Is a timer necessary? It would be useful if you want to leave the dehydrator on without having to worry about remembering to switch it off. One other point is that Tangs may be more accessible than Bukit Batok, and if something goes wrong with the unit, Tangs may be easier to deal with in respect of warranty issues with the maker.

If $30 is a lot to you, I think the Snackmaker FD500 should work fine. But as a matter of convenience and due to the Rommelsbacher's good reviews, I will be going for the Rommelsbacher when Tangs has its 10% sale.

3 comments:

Nice compilation of food dehydrators available in Singapore. Perhaps you can also checkout food dehydrators from China. I ordered one from a company from Aliexpress that claims to manufacture for NESCO USA FD-60 Model. I will let you know if it's genuine and reliable :) FD-60 is 500W 65-155Farenheit. No timer. Total 67USD including shipping.